worst act of vandalism

In fairness, the three big "Pax" eras (Romana, Mongolica, Britannica) all seemed to be based on butchering and/or subjugating a large chunk of the known world.
 
There's also the Han, Tang, Song, and Ming Pax Sinica. More about regional hegemony through cultural influence; but all of them came into their rule through blood and iron.
 
Blood and iron does seem to be the best method for maintaining hegemony, although nowadays it's been supplanted by McDonald's und Coca-Cola.
 
In fairness, the three big "Pax" eras (Romana, Mongolica, Britannica) all seemed to be based on butchering and/or subjugating a large chunk of the known world.


"Auferre trucidare rapere falsis nominibus imperium, atque ubi solitudinem faciunt, pacem appellant."

"To ravage, to slaughter, to usurp under false titles, they call empire; and where they make a desert, they call it peace."

~Calgacus, chieftain of the Caledonians as per Tacitus, on the imperialism of the Romans.
 
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